Pratt Fine Arts Center has selected Jessica Borusky (they/them) as Executive Director, following an executive search process led by Arts Consulting Group (ACG). They began their tenure on January 13, 2023.
Borusky arrives to the visual arts organization as a cultural leader whose practice is grounded in community building and equitable, accessible art education. They were most recently directing and overseeing the University of North Florida (UNF) Galleries as Gallery Director and Instructor. Committed to diversifying the gallery program, Borusky taught courses in art appreciation, new genre art, feminism and art, and curatorial practice, while serving on several committees including the Diversity/Inclusion cohort, Gender Studies Major advisory committee, and the Medical Humanities committee at UNF.
Borusky fosters vital, invitational cultural programming and education, honoring and empowering the importance of community connection. In 2017, they guided the Living Arts of Tulsa as Executive and Artistic Director, dedicated to presenting and developing critically-engaged contemporary art locally. Prior to that, they were Chief Curator and Advocacy/Outreach at Art in the Loop Foundation. Borusky earned a bachelor of arts with a concentration in performance theory, new media art, and gender studies from New College of Florida, and a master of fine arts in studio art from School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University with a concentration in video, performance, and gender studies.
In making the announcement, Pratt Fine Arts Center Board of Trustees President Dian Hartono added, “With their commitment to creating an arts environment of welcome and belonging, their passion and strategic vision, Jessica will lead our organization to new heights. We are excited to see what the future holds under their leadership.”
“I am thrilled to expand Pratt’s mission of providing accessible arts education for all, while uplifting the incredible art practices of Pratt’s teaching staff and students,” said Borusky. “I look forward to learning from, and connecting with the Pratt, Seattle, and Pacific Northwest communities, including the awe-inspiring natural surroundings.”
“Jessica brings qualities of a thoughtful and intentional leader,” said ACG Assistant Vice President Trinity Villanueva. “With their academic background, enthusiasm for arts and education, and overall success within leadership, Jessica brings the ability to bridge various communities with equity at the forefront. We are eager to see how Jessica’s leadership will both embrace the organization’s history and lead Pratt successfully into its next chapter.”
February 2023